Catheterizing instrument



April 21, 1936'. .F. c. WAPPLER 2,038,394

CATHETERIZING INSTRUMENT Filed 0c t. 28, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Eviaz'a [MMI/eflq;

v ATTORNEY A ril 21,1936. F. c. WAPPLER 2,933,394 CA';'HETERIZING INSTRUMENT Filed Ot. 28, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOIR 1% M1 figz w Patented Apr. 21, 1936 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,038,394 CATHETERIZ-ING INSTRUMENT Frederick CharlesWappler, New ,York, N. .Y.

Application October W8, 1933, Serial No. 695,561

.6 Claims. (Cl..1283f49) My present invention relates generally to sur- I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other, gical "instruments, and has particular reference objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed to a new and improved type of cathe-terizing out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in cystoscope or the like. the accompanying drawings, wherein 5 It is a general object of my invention to pro- Figure 1 'is aside view of the telescope forming 5 vide an instrument which permits a more acpart of my present instrument; curate and improved control of the insertion into Figure 2 is a similar view of the plug element the inner cavities. of the body of a catheter or and associated parts; similar operating tool. Figure 8 is a similar View of one type of mem- A further object is to (provide an instrument bar to be applied to the rear of the plug ele- 10 whereby a catheter, bougie, or the like may be men't;

manipulated and controlled throughout a greater Figure'4 isa similar view of an obturator for use range of action. More particularly, the instruwith the present-instrument; ment includes a laterally fenestrated endoscopic Figure '5 is ape-rspective view of thefforward end tube which permits a portion of an interior-cavity of the obturator; 15 to be exposed through the ienestra, in combina- Figure 6 is a view similar to Figures 1, 2, and

tion with mechanism and control means for per- 3, showing the-endoscopic tube portion of the pres-' mitting a catheter or the like to be deflected and ent instrument;

guided toward any part of a relatively large area Figure 7 is a side view of the instrument in of the exposed cavity wall. assembledcondition, showing one mannerkof use; 20

In accordance with my invention, the manipu- Figure 8 is a bottom view of Figure '7; lation and guidance of the catheter is under Figure -9 is a longitudinal section, showing the maintained illuminated vision. catheter deflector and telescope in a forward lo- Another general object of. my invention is to cation; provide a device having the foregoing capabilities Figure 10 is aview similar to Figure :9, showing 25 and which is nevertheless of extreme compactthecatheter deflector and telescope in aretracted ness to permit it to be used in connection with position;

body channels of relatively small cross-section. Figure '11 is a view similar to Figure I0 with the The instrument is further designed in a manner deflector pivoted to a greater angle;

which makes it relatively simple and inexpensive Figure '12 is an enlarged plan view, partly in 30 to manufacture, easy to use, and readily cap-able section, of the plug element of Figure :2; of disassembly for purposes of sterilization or the Figure 1'3 is a cross-sectional View taken sublike. stantially along the line Iii-l3 of Figure 10,

Briefly, an instrument constructed in accordwith certain parts omitted for the sake of clear- 3 ance with the present invention comprises an ness;

endoscopic tube with a lateral fenestra, a pivota- Figure '14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view blecatheter deflector at the fe-nestra and mounted taken substantially along the line |4--I'4 of Figon the forward end of a supporting stem, a teleure 1'1;

scope commanding a view of the deflector, a Figure 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional View 40 means for pivoting the deflector from the rear taken substantially along the line l5-l5 o'fFig- 40 portion of the instrument, and a means for movure '12;

ing the deflector and the telescope bodily and in Figure 1-6 is a view similar to Figure 3, showunison in a longitudinal direction. The instruing a modification; ment is constructed in such a way that the in- Figure 1 is a plan view of Figure 16; and

5 her portion of the endoscopic tube is maintained Figure 18 is an end View taken substantially in 5 in a liquid-tight condition during all manipulathe direction l8l8=of Figure 16. tions' of. the control mechanisms and parts. The nature of the present instrument will best Further features of my invention lie in the be understood'by referring first to Figures 1-6, manner of constructing and assembling the parts, wherein I have shown the several parts entering whereby the instrument maybe adapted for use into its construction. 50

with either one or a plurality of catheters or the The endoscopic tube or sheath-20 (Figure '6) like, and whereby aspecially constructed obturais composed of any suitable material and maybe tor may be associated with the instrument in an of any suitable cross-section, and is provided near efficient and simple manner during the initial its forward-end with the lateralelongatedwindow insertion thereof into a cavity. or fenestra 2|. Forwardly of the fenestrsa the tube is provided with a beak 22 which carries an illuminating lamp 23. In a preferred construction, the beak extends at an angle to the tube and in the direction of the fenestra 2|, although in many instances it may be desirable to bend the beak in they opposite direction. At its rear end, the tube 26 terminates in an enlarged sleeve or tubular housing 24 which carries an irrigation petcock 25 and an electric binding post 26. Suitable wiring (not shown) extends from the binding post 26 to the lamp 23, whereby the establishment of suitable electrical connections will permit the lamp 23 to function when the instrument is used. The sleeve 24 also carries a lateral projection 27 in which a bore 28 of rectangular cross-section is provided (see Figure 14). J ournaled in the projection 2? is the spindle 29 carrying a control knob 36 on its outer end and provided with a pinion 3| within the bore 28. Rotation of the knob 30 causes a rotation of the pinion 3| for a purpose presently to be described.

The sleeve 24 is also provided with a set screw 39.

In Figures .4 and 5, I have illustrated the obturator which is to be employed with the sheath 20 when the device is initially inserted into the body. The obturator comprises a shank 32, a plug portion 33 adapted to fit slidably into the rear end of the sleeve 24, a handle 34, and a forward head 35. Carried at the rear of the obturator is the forwardly projecting rack 36 which is adapted to extend forwardly through the upper portion of the bore 28 when the obturator is inserted into the tube 20. The teeth of the rack 36 are adapted to mesh with the teeth of the pinion 3|, so that rotation of the knob 36 will cause an advancement and retraction of the obturator into and out of the. tube 26. Preferably, the rack is provided with a longitudinal slot 31 adapted to engage slidably over the guide pin 38 which projects into the bore 28, as shown in Figure 14. The rack may be locked in any desired position by adjustment of the set screw 39.

The rear part of the head 35 is provided with the bearing 46 which engages slidably over the forward end of the shank 32. So that this slidable fit will be a snug one, the forward end of the shank 32 is slit, as at 4|. The shank carries at its forward end a stop pin 42, and a little to the rear is provided a forwardly tapered collar 43. The head has a rearwardly extending tongue 44 adapted to engage in a wedging relationship with the tapered surface of the collar 43.

In normal condition, the obturator head 35 is in the forward relationship shown in Figure 4, in which condition the head is readily insertable into the tube 23. vanced, by means of the rack-and-pinion assembly, the collar 43 advances forwardly and wedges the tongue 44 laterally, thereby forcing the head 35 laterally into snug disposition Within the fenestra 2|. When thus located, the outer surface of the head 35 forms a smooth continuation of the outer surface of the tube 26, thereby effectively blunting the rear edge 45 of the fenestra. When the obturator is to be. withdrawn, the ma. nipulation of the knob 30 causes the shank 32 to retract; and during the initial retraction the head 35 is permitted to spring back into its normal position, thereby permitting the further retraction of the shank 32 to effect a complete withdrawal of the obturator.

One of the operative portions of the instrument is illustrated in Figure 2, and consists of a cylindrical plug element 46 adapted to fit slidably into When the shank 32 is then adthe sleeve 24, and provided with upper and lower bores 41 and 48, respectively, as shown most clearly in Figure 14. Secured to the plug element between these bores and in spaced relationship is the forwardly projecting supporting stem or shaft 49 which consists preferably of two relatively fine tubes, shown most clearly in Figures 12 and 13. At the extreme forward end of the stem 49 a catheter deflector in the form of a plate or movable member 56 is pivoted, as at 5|, (see Figure 12). The pivotal movements of this deflector are controlled by a pair of control rods 52 articulated, as at 53, to the deflector 5i! and extending rearwardly through the tubes which constitute the supporting stem 49. The advancement and retraction of the control rods 52 produce a pivotal movement (i. e., a raising and lowering) of the deflector, as indicated most clearly in Figure 11, in which the deflector is shown in full-lines at substantially right angles to the supporting stem, and is shown in dot-and-dash lines in other positions which it may be caused to assume.

The rear portion of the plug element 46 is provided with a relatively large and forwardly tapered bore 53 (Figure 13), this bore being in communication with the bores or passageways 41 and 48. It may be mentioned that the bore 48 enlarges somewhat and becomes circular in crosssection at its rear end, as will be observed by comparing Figures 14 and 15.

The plug element 46 carries a transversely journaled pin 54 which is rotatable by means of the control handle 55. This pin carries the two eccentrically mounted discs 56 and 51, the plug element being cut away to accommodate them, and these discs are articulated in any suitable manner to the rear ends of the control rods 52, e. g., by means of the pins 58. It is the rotation of the pin 54 which causes the longitudinal reciprocation of the control rods 52, it being understood that the pin 54 is rotated through only a relatively small arcto accomplish this purpose.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the disc 56 is knurled and there is provided a spring-pressed detent 59 in the plug element which bears constantly against the knurled surface of the disc, thereby serving yieldably to maintain the pin 54 in any desired angular position, and thereby facilitating the accurate control of the pivotal movements of the deflector 50.

The plug element 46 is provided with a forwardly projecting rack 60, similar to the rack 36 of the obturator but somewhat longer and provided with a longitudinal slot 6| similar to the slot 31. The rack 60 is preferably held in locked and permanent relationship to the plug element by means of the set screw 62 (Figure 15); this set screw being in turn locked against accidental loosening by means of the set screw 63.

The plug element 46 is further provided with the attachment device 64 which forms no part of the present invention and which serves merely to facilitate the engagement with the plug element 46 of the member illustrated in Figure 3.

The member 65 of Figure 3 is adapted to be applied to the rear end of the plug element 46 in a liquid-tight manner. With this object in View, it is provided with a forwardly tapered plug portion 66 which is adapted to fit snugly into the rear tapered bore 53, as shown most clearly in Figure 13. The member 65 carries a forwardly projection fork 61 which engages with the attachment device 64. The member 65 is provided with a longitudinal bore 68 adapted to permit the snug passage of the telescope shaft therethrough, and with the longitudinalibore369 which is adapted to permit the passage of an operating tool, such as a catheter, therethrough. A rearwardly extending guide tube 10 has a bore which forms a continuation of the bore 69. The member .65 is further provided witha projection "II in which a bore 12 is provided, this being for the purpose of accommodating a portion of the telescope in a manner presently to be described.

The telescope is illustrated most clearly in Figure 1, and consists of an elongated stem or shaft 13 at the forward end of which an objective lens '14 is provided, and ;at the rear end of which an eyepiece 15 is mounted. The internal optical construction of the telescope is not shown, but it "Will be understood that the objective 14 commands a substantially conical field of vision, the apex of which is closely adjacent to the objective M, and the :axis of which extends laterally so that the telescope commands a view of the deflector 50 when the parts are assembled. Carried by the rear portion of the telescope is a forwardly projecting pin 16 having a stop collar 71 adjacent to its forward'end.

The manner of assembing the device is illustrated most clearly in Figures 7-10. The telescope is first inserted forwardly through the bore or guiding means 66 of the member 65. The forward portion of the pin 16 thus projects forwardly through the bore I2, and the collar 1'! serves as a limit for the positioning of the telescope. The set screw 18 engages with the forward portion of the pin 16 when the telescope has been inserted to the desired degree. Within a narrow limit, the telescope may be adjusted longitudinally, independently of the other portions of the device, by means of engagement of the forward portion of the pin 16 in the bore 12.

The member 65, with the telescope secured thereto, is then inserted into the rear portion of the plug element 46. During this assembly, the telescope is caused toproject forwardly through the bore 41 of the plug element 46; and the fork 61' engages and cooperates with the attachment device 64. The latter serves to wedge the plug portion 66 forwardly into liquid-tight association with the rear portion of the plug element 46. Thereafter, the plug element and the member 65, and all parts carried thereby, are bound together as a unit, whereby any movement of the plug 46 in the sheath 26 imparts a corresponding movement to the telescope and the deflector shaft 49.

When the three parts of Figures 1, 2and 3 are thus assembled, the shaft 13 of the telescope lies closely adjacent to the supporting stem 49, and the objective 14 positions itself adjacent to and behind the deflector 56, an accurate adjustment of the exact relative positions of objective and deflector being initially made by means of the set screw 18.

This assembly is then inserted forwardly into the sheath of Figure 6, the plug element 46 entering into the housing or sleeve 24, and the rack 60 projecting into the rectangular bore 28 and meshing with the pinion 3 I.

In actual operation, it will be understood that the sheath of Figure 6 will have been initially inserted into the body cavity with the obturator of Figure 4 in association therewith; and that the assembly of parts shown in Figures 7-9 indicates the assembly'w'hich results after the entire With a suitable connection made with the terminal 26, soas to render the lamp 23 operative, a relatively large expanse of exposed cavity wall portion is rendered visible under illumination. The insertion of the operating tool, such as a catheter 19, may then be proceeded with, the catheter being projected forwardly through the guide tube 16 and bore .69, thence through the bore 48, the. forward portion of the catheter ultimately projecting out of the .ienestra 2! in a manner which permitsitto be subjected to the deflecting action of the deflector 50.

The accurate controllability of the forward end of the catheter I9 is best illustrated in Figures 9-11. IniFigure 9, the: telescope and deflector are positioned forwardly to their full extent, this being accomplished by manipulating the knob 36 so that the rack (Sills advanced forwardly as far as it will .go. In this relationship of parts, the telescope commands a fleld of vision at the forward or inner end of the exposed cavity wall portion. The catheter 19 :may then be guided to any desired point by manipulating the control wheel 55, this wheel serving to pivot the deflector into any desired angular position. In fulllines in Figure'9, the deflector is shown guiding the catheter 19 into an obliquely forward portion forming an angle of approximately 45 with the axis of the instrument. In dot-and-dash 'lines, the deflector is shown guiding the catheter into a greater lateral position. The tip of the catheter is maintained under illuminated vision during all these manipulations.

Further controllability of catheter guidance is afforded by manipulation of the knob 36, which serves to move the deflector bodily, and with it the telescope, lengthwise of the window or fenestra 2|. The knob 36 thus serves as a means for positioning the telescope lens and deflector member at various points along the length of the window; In Figures 10 and 11, for example, I have shown the parts in such a relationship. It is to be noted.- that the deflector is positioned nearer the rear edge of the fenestra, this having been accomplished by causing the rack 66 to move rearwardly under the actuation of the pinion 3l. The plug portion 46 is still disposed within the sleeve 24, but is positioned rearwardly with respect to the relationship shown in Figure 9.

In full-lines in Figure 10 I have shown the deflector guiding the catheter into an angular r lationship of approximately 45 to the instrument axis, but the tip of the catheter is obviously further to the rear than the tip shown in Figure 9. By swinging the deflector 5% into the upper dot-and-dash position of Figure 10, the catheter is permitted to project toward a point further to the front; and by swinging the deflector into the other dot-and-dash position of Figure 10 (i. e., into the full-line position of Figure 11), the: catheter may .be caused to be deflected into the extreme lateral position shown in full-lines in Figure 11. The extreme deflection illustrated in Figure 11 is facilitated by the proximity of the defiector to the rear edge of the fenestra, whereby the catheter is caused to bend sharply around this rear edge.

By rotating the instrument as a whole, further control of the catheter insertion is afforded, and, in general, it will be observed that the present instrumentality permits of an accurate guidance of a catheter or a similar device into a large variety of differing positions and angularities;

Moreespecially, Ihave provided a means for varying the angle between the operating end of a surgical operating tool and the sheath from to 90. Such a complete control of catheter movements is of decided advantage in the art, and it is. to be noted that the catheter is in all cases maintained under illuminated vision.

The instrument is usable, also, with a pair of catheters or the like, the use of two catheters simultaneously being frequently desirable. In such a case, the member 65 of Figure 3 is merely replaced by the member 80 of Figures 17-18. This member has a forwardly projecting plug portion 8|, a fork 82, a projection 83 with a bore 84 for the pin 16, and a set screw 85. The member 88 is further provided with a longitudinal bore 86 for the telescope shaft. In all the foregoing respects, the member 80 is similar to the member 65. Instead of being provided with a single bore 59 for the catheter, however, it is provided with two adjacent bores 8'! and with two rearwardly projecting guide tubes 88, whereby two catheters 89 may be simultaneously inserted into the instrument. These two catheters project forwardly, side by side, through the bore 48 and through the sheath 28, and both of them are adapted to be subjected to the deflecting action of the deflector as. It will be understood, however, that, usually, only one catheter is deflected at a time; and after having been properly positioned or inserted into an opening or the like, the other catheter is then ready for manipulation and guidance.

Before inserting a catheter or catheters, the rear ends of the guide tubes 88 are preferably capped by rubber nipples 90, and the same is true with respect to the guide tube 10 of Figure 3.

t will be understood that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an instrument of the character described, a laterally fenestrated endoscopic tube terminating in a sleeve at its rear end, a pivotable catheter deflector at said fenestra, a supporting stem for the deflector extending rearwardly through the tube, a plug element mounted on the rear end of said stem and slidably mounted in said sleeve, the rear end of the plug element having a forwardly tapering bore therein, means carried by the plug element for pivoting the deflector, means for longitudinally moving the plug element in said sleeve, thereby moving the deflector bodily lengthwise along said fenestra, and a second plug element having a forwardly tapering portion adapted to enter into liquid-tight wedged relation with said tapering bore.

2. In an instrument of the character described, a laterally fenestrated endoscopic tube terminating in a sleeve at its rear end, a pivotable catheter deflector at said fenestra, a supporting stem for the deflector extending rearwardly through the tube, a plug element mounted on the rear end of said stem and slidably mounted in said sleeve, the rear end of the plug element having a forwardly tapering bore therein, means carried by the plug element for pivoting the deflector, means for longitudinally moving the plug element and hence the stem deflector, and a telescope carried by and movable with said plug and stem for com manding a view of said deflector, and a second plug element having a forwardly tapering portion adapted to enter into liquid-tight wedged relation with said tapering bore, said second plug element having a longitudinal bore adapted to permit passage therethrough of said telescope.

3; In an instrument of the character described, a laterally fenestrated endoscopic tube, an obturator having a shank and a laterally movable head at its forward end, a rack-and-pinion as sembly operatively interposed between said tube and shank for moving the shank longitudinally, and means for automatically causing a lateral movement of the obturator head into plugging relation to said fenestra when the shank is forced inward, by the rack-and-pinion assembly, to its full extent.-

4. In an instrument of the character described, a laterally fenestrated endoscopic tube terminating in a sleeve at its rear end, a pivotable catheter deflector at said fenestra, a supporting stem for the deflector extending rearwardly through the tube, a plug element mounted on the rear end of said stem and slidably mounted in said sleeve, the rear end of the plug element having a forwardly tapering bore therein, means carried by the plug element for pivoting the deflector, means for longitudinally moving the plug element in said sleeve, thereby moving the deflector bodily lengthwise along said fenestra, and a second plug element having a forwardly tapering portion adapted to enter into liquid-tight wedged relation with said tapering bore, said second plug element having longitudinal bores adapted to permit passage, respectively, of a catheter and a telescope.

5. In an instrument of the character described, a laterally fenestratedendoscopic tube terminating in a sleeve at its rear end, a pivotable catheter deflector at said fenestra, a supporting stem for the deflector extending rearwardly through the tube, a plug element mounted on the rear end of said stem and slidably mounted in said sleeve, the rear end of the plug elementhaving a forwardly tapering bore therein, means carried by the plug element for pivoting the deflector, means for longitudinally moving the plug element and hence the stem and deflector, a telescope carried by and movable with said plug and stem for commanding a view of said deflector, and a second plug element having a forwardly tapering portion adapted to enter into liquid-tight wedged relation with said tapering bore, said second plug element having a longitudinal bore adapted to permit passage therethrough of said telescope, and said second plug element being provided with releasable means for engaging said telescope.

6. In an instrument of the character described, a laterally fenestrated endoscopic tube, an obturator having a shank and a laterally movable head at its forward end, a rack-and-pinion assembly operatively interposed between said tube and shank for moving the shank longitudinally, and means for automatically causing a lateral movement of the obturator head into plugging relation to said fenestra when'the shank is forced inward, by the rack-and-pinion assembly, to its full extent, said head having a longitudinal bear- 

